CES third graders learn to make bread
In celebration of Kansas' 143rd birthday Thursday, third grade students at Centre Elementary School learned how to make bread from scratch.
Kansas is the leading wheat producer and is known for its hard red wheat, which has excellent milling properties.
Ann Sparke, extension agent for Morris County, spearheaded the bread-making event. She was assisted by community volunteers and high school students.
The children measured flour, yeast, sugar, and salt and placed the ingredients into a zippered jumbo freezer bag.
After the ingredients were shaken together, very warm water and softened vegetable oil margarine were added and blended together with the fingertips.
Whole wheat flour was added and completely blended. White flour gradually was added to the dough until it pulled away from the sides of the bags.
After resting the dough for five minutes, the students turned the bags inside out to deposit the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
The ball of dough was kneaded for approximately eight minutes. It then was divided in half and each piece was flattened into an 11x7-inch rectangle, rolled up from the narrow end, and placed in pans sprayed with no-stick cooking spray.
After raising, the bread was baked in the school kitchen, and students enjoyed slices of fresh bread.
Each student went home with a fresh loaf of bread and an accompanying recipe.
